Fathers are involved in their kids’ lives more than ever before. From packing school lunches to going shopping with their kids, fathers are doing it all. This includes making their kid’s health a priority and taking them to the doctors’ visits.
A significant number of kids now go through a phase where they need one orthodontic treatment or the other, and as a father, you must know what to do. In this article, you will learn how you can help your kid before getting braces and what to do while they are going through orthodontic treatment.
Here are five tips to prepare your child for a positive braces journey:
1. Provide Information About the Treatment
Getting braces treatment can be a terrifying thought, especially if the kid doesn’t know what to expect. Give all the information they need and answer all their questions.
Make them comfortable and tell them it’s a common treatment, and they will have a beautiful smile in the end. Talk to them to ease their anxiety.
2. Be Supportive
You will be supportive at the beginning of the treatment, but you may unconsciously do things that say the opposite. For example, you may eat the foods they are not allowed to eat, pack lunches with the food they cannot eat, play contact sports, etc.
Make sure you are supportive in all aspects. Even if it means you cannot eat or do something they can’t.
3. Explain the Outcome
The child may be annoyed at the thought of having braces and going to school. But remind them, in the end, they will have a straight and attractive smile. Find some before-after pictures online and show them how big a difference braces can make. Help them visualize their smile.
You can also help them change another aspect of their appearance that will help them feel better about themselves. Get a new haircut together, buy them a new pair of shoes or clothes.
Remind them it’s a temporary treatment and that the braces will come off eventually.
4. Help them Maintain Healthy Oral Hygiene
The kid must maintain good oral habits with braces. Explain that brushing and flossing might get a little tough with braces, but they have to do them without fail.
Inform them that food debris may get stuck between the brackets, and if not cleaned properly, it may lead to decay.
Encourage your kid to brush after every meal. Do it with them if necessary.
5. Accompany them to the Orthodontist
As a father, your presence at every orthodontist appointment will comfort your kid. Let them know you are there for them. The kid will appreciate your presence and support. Show them you are with them at every step of the journey.
Bonus Tip:
Food restrictions may put off the child, and they may think twice about having braces. You can make eating a fun event by preparing meals together. Plan some father-child time and prepare meals using foods they are allowed to eat. This will help them get excited about food and not fear food restrictions.
All kids consider their fathers to be their superhero. So, having your presence will comfort them and make the orthodontic treatment a less scary process. These tips will help prepare your child for braces and face the treatment with a smile on their face. Here’s how to tell if your kid needs braces.
